BioTrust nutrition is a supplement company that focuses on a combination of natural ingredients and “integrity” to distinguish themselves from the competition. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (a review body aiming to improve reliability and business practices), there is some credibility to these claims. As ever, the claim to “natural” products has no regulated usage and is hard to quantify. During the course of this article, we’ll place extra focus on the ingredients of their health supplements as well as putting their business practice and claims under close scrutiny.

BioTrust is critical of the supplement industry itself, stipulating that most supplement companies, because they are not FDA-regulated, though it is unclear whether this is a genuine stance or an attempt to criticise other supplement companies whilst making themselves appear to be superior. The majority of their products address the need for improved health and micronutrient performance: whilst the company does include a protein powder supplement, their focus is generally towards longevity and health. At a first glance, the worst thing that we can say about BioTrust Is that their product names are cliched! When buying these products, there is included a 1-year money back guarantee for those who are not happy with the products received. This provides another level of customer protection and is a reassuring sign for the integrity that BioTrust claim.

How does it claim to work?

BioTrust products tend to provide support to existing metabolic and homeostatic processes, primarily through the increased consumption of micronutrients in which we tend to be deficient or under-dosed. When we look at the protein powder that BioTrust sells, again we see that there is a focus on the fundamentals of nutritional science to provide a high-quality product. The focus in these products is dairy derived from cattle that are certified low-hormone supplementation: this means that we are less likely to encounter accidental down-stream hormones in their own products. This is also obvious when we look at the nutritional information label: a protein content of 24g per 38g serving is around average or slightly below for a good-quality protein powder. However, this is accompanied by a low carbohydrate content and only 1g of sugar per serving, which means that it can be consumed with relatively little detriment to the diet and provides a reasonable amount of protein.

The rest of their products, which focus on health and longevity, are primarily aimed at solving deficiency and ensuring that hormonal, digestive and homeostatic processes are well-balanced. When we look at the existing diet, there are a variety of deficiencies in the field of vitamins, minerals and the profile of our macronutrients are generally poor. Supplementing these items can have marked changes based on the way that we absorb the supplement and how our diet is set up already. Given that many of us struggle to achieve these intakes through a regular diet [1], BioTrust products seem to aim at genuine problems.

Is it safe? Effective? Good value?

The positives

One of our favourite things about BioTrust products, and a sign that they are based on the correct approach, is that their claims are fairly reasonable and substantiated by a wide variety of published peer-reviewed studies. In addition to this, BioTrust also accords with GMP guidelines regarding manufacturing processes: guidelines that promote the quality and reliability of supplement manufacturing, particularly regarding the conditions in which they are produced and the purity of raw ingredients. In this sense, there are many assurances that these products will be safe, or at least that they will include the things that they claim to. As with any other supplements, it is important to confirm with your physician that you are able to take these products, especially if you are consuming prescription medicines [2].

The effectiveness of these products is, again, borne out by the scientific evidence provided in support of their products. The inclusion of an in-house scientific team further demonstrates that the company has a concern for the benefit of their customers and an ongoing commitment to the scientific and ethical guidelines that we’d like to see in more supplement companies. This approach is a breath of fresh air in an industry that prefers to either totally ignore scientific research or cherry-pick studies that are not representative of the scientific consensus.

Causes for concern

The first concern that we have for effectiveness is that there is very little need for supplementation of this kind when the majority of the positive effects are achieved through a sufficiently diverse and nutrient-dense diet. Adjustments to a poor diet can virtually eliminate the need for products that focus on anti-ageing, insulin/blood sugar management and probiotic effects. These can be replaced with an effective diet and exercise regimen. Whilst some of Bio Trust’s products can improve a balanced diet (such as BCAA and joint support products), their uncontroversial claims also reflect the fact that their products will improve some aspects but many are unnecessary for those who have a firm handle on their diet.

Additionally, it is important to note that these supplements cover a variety of price-points which may not reflect the amount of positive impact that they have on a well-adjusted diet. Thus, the most we can recommend are those products that are positive for everyone and do not address deficiency: deficiency should be addressed through diet, with supplementation being a secondary choice. For example, whilst “Brain bright” has a wealth of scientific support for the positive effects it has reported, the majority of these results are achieved through a mixture of proper intake of D3 (combats neuroinflammation [3]), Omega3 (primarily the longer EPA/DHA strains) and other micronutrients, which are available through numerous plant and seafood sources, as well as a variety of cheaper supplements.

There have been various reviews of BioTrust products with equally-varied opinions. Reviews are primarily concerned with effectiveness: there have been numerous reports that the company’s products are either ineffective or somehow unsatisfactory. Customers complain that their weight loss was “average” or did not change in any significant way when they switched to BioTrust products (either protein powders, leptin-management or blood sugar management). There are a variety of explanations for this: considering that their products are made in accordance with GMP regulations and are likely to contain exactly what is on the label, it does make the effectiveness of supplements (as raised above) a concern. In the defence of these supplements, the problem here generally seems to be faulty expectations and an ignorance of human nutritional biology. A protein powder is not likely to drastically affect weight loss unless we were previously deficient in protein. Whilst dietary protein does have positive effects on the way that we lose weight [4], gain muscle and recover [5], it is not a magical pill and will not drastically change the way that the body works in non-athletes.

A secondary, but related complaint, directly linked BioTrust protein powder, “BioTrust low-carb” with actually causing weakness. A customer claimed that they lost strength whilst taking the product, which miraculously returned once they discontinued usage. This claim seems to be entirely unfair and almost unique in the literature: increased consumption of protein has yet to be linked to decreased strength by any mechanism and it is even stranger that they claim to have regained all strength by discontinuing use. This seems fantastical in the extreme and cannot be taken seriously – unless this individual’s previous protein powder contained anabolic steroids, there is almost no way that we should expect reduced performance from taking this product. Clearly, it is necessary to review some comments as well as the products they’re aimed at!

Finally, there are reports of excessive sweetness in the product as a result of the addition of sweeteners such as Stevia. Whilst this is a subjective concern, it is important to remember that most of these protein powders are sweetened with 0-calorie sweeteners and struggle with balancing their sweetness. To some, this sweetness may be acceptable and to others it may be overbearing. Whilst it may behove BioTrust to reduce the sweetener content of their product, it is important to remember, firstly, that these sweeteners are included to reduce refined sugar content and, secondly, whey tastes god-awful. Whilst there are other products on the market that could be sold on the taste alone, protein shakes are a nutrition supplement and should be considered for their macronutrient makeup first and foremost. If you wanted your milkshake to taste fantastic, it’d not be a protein shake, it’d be a milkshake. Overall, those with a sweet tooth may want to go this way, whilst those with a more savoury palette may do well to avoid it.

Concluding remarks

Overall, there is very little to criticise BioTrust over. The entire company prides itself on an above-board approach to the content of its supplements, the manufacturing practices by which they’re made and the scientific evidence supporting their claims. Whilst the existing claims are accurate and borne out by clinical evidence and the company’s faith in its product, they seem to have been misunderstood because they are relatively humble in the context of the supplement industry. The effectiveness of these supplements, especially when compared to other methods of achieving proper health and fitness, are modest. BioTrust products will not change the way you diet and they will not attempt to cause 700% increased weight loss, but they offer no-nonsense supplements that have good macronutrient profiles. They are relatively poor in terms of value, depending on the product in question, but can be a great choice to those with expendable income and a genuine concern with the way that protein powders are made. There are perhaps better products on the market on a cost:benefit analysis, but BioTrust is fundamentally sound if not particularly exciting.

Amanda is a gym instructor and a diet and nutrition fanatic that has reviewed 100s of supplements for the benefit of consumers. She struggled with obesity 7 years ago and after losing more than 30lbs, dedicates most of her time in helping others achieve similar results and transform their lives. You can contact her via the "About Us" page.

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